Train Services Disrupted on Upcountry and Kelani Valley Lines Due to Landslides

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Railways says that seven Upcountry train journeys were cancelled this morning following a landslide in Ihalakotte.

Several areas along the Upcountry railway line have experienced rockfalls and collapses of trees due to heavy rainfall.

Yesterday evening, the intercity express train from Kandy to Colombo Fort was also affected by a landslide near the Ihalakotte railway station. 

The department stated that the removal of debris may take some time due to heavy rainfall and difficulties accessing the site.

As a result, three express trains running from Colombo Fort to Kandy, Matale, and Badulla have been cancelled. 

Additionally, four trains from Kandy, Matale, and Badulla heading to Colombo Fort and Beliatta have also been suspended.

Specifically, the cancelled services include the 5:50 a.m. Colombo Fort–Badulla train, the 7:00 a.m. Colombo Fort–Kandy intercity express, the 10:35 a.m. Colombo Fort–Matale train, the 4:50 a.m. Matale–Colombo Fort train, the 5:00 a.m. Kandy–Beliatta train, the 6:15 a.m. Kandy–Colombo Fort train, and the 8:30 a.m. Badulla–Colombo Fort train.

The department confirmed that two trains from Colombo Fort to Badulla at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. are expected to depart from Kandy as scheduled, while the 5:30 a.m. Badulla–Colombo Fort service will run up to Kandy today.

Currently, train operations on the Upcountry line are limited up to Rambukkana, with services between Kandy and Badulla running as usual.

Meanwhile, train services on the Kelani Valley line have been restricted up to Kosgama after a train derailed between Kosgama and Avissawella, causing fallen rocks and a tree to block the tracks.